Why didn't the Clackin Rap and Crank survive?

[snake95]

Clackin Raps were a cool looking, easy casting bait.  I haven't had much luck with them, but didn't try too hard either.

 

Seemed to me like they were a popular bait. 

 

However, our local DSG appears to have about 50% of the stock in clackin' baits they started off with a year ago after a massive clearance sale (basically, buy 10 for $2.50 each), and bass fishing is popular around here.  Also saw them being cleared out at Cabelas for a song last summer (can't say that about many lures!), mostly red baits left as usual.

 

Will they rise to cult status like Xcalibur XR50 lipless baits and Risto Raps, fade into obscurity like the Crankin Rap, or be forgotten like just another gimmick lure?

 

Wondering why Rapala didn't just decrease production and put them into the "special/other" category like excellent but somewhat less popular lures like the Fat Rap and Flat Rap?

 

Interested to hear what other Rapala fans think about this.

[Dorado]

It’s a good argument

[georgeyew]

I love the clackin raps. I had one of my best fishing day with one. I hated to see them discontinued. Now when I see them in stores, I pick up as many as possible. I wish my DSG had more in stock. I love the loud single rattle!

[Turkey sandwich]

I own a few and never really found a lot of success with them, for whatever reason.  They just never produced for me like other lipless cranks, and I have no idea why.  Also, I would not include them in a conversation with Fat Raps.  Fat Raps have probably caught me as many bass as any other crank bait, perhaps with only the Fat Free series in a close second.  

[scaleface]

The Crankin Rap is one of my favorites .I have never used a  Clackin Rap .  The Crankin  Rap's rear hook attachment  isnt on the end , it is slightly forward like on a Wiggle Wart ,making me wonder if it is not a Storm design .I have several of all the sizes .

[snake95]

4 hours ago, scaleface said:

The Crankin Rap is one of my favorites

@scaleface me too.  I credit that lure with getting me into bass fishing again since I had so much success with it when I re-started; certainly responsible for my first multiple-bass days. I don't hear it talked about much though, and in recent years only place I could find them was in scuffed-up boxes on the bottom shelf at Walmart.

 

8 hours ago, Turkey sandwich said:

Also, I would not include them in a conversation with Fat Raps.

@Turkey sandwich interesting and fair point.  Living in north Georgia, I have not seen Fat Raps in many stores, and I've never seen anyone fishing one in recent years.  I know they have been around a long time, since they were among the first crankbaits I ever used as a kid back in the early 80's, and they are clearly still enough of a seller for Rapala to keep them around in a small selection of basic and proven colors.  I even picked up a few at a Walmart in Arizona last year.  From this I have gathered they must be an effective bait, just with modest popularity -- enough to remain in production, yet relegated to Rapala's world of "all other lures" that don't get marquee billing:

https://www.rapala.com/rapala/lures/all-other-lures/

 

Would be interested to hear if other guys would put Clackin Raps in a similar category; clearly Rapala decided they don't deserve continued production.

 

(I learned that the Flat Rap is also discontinued by looking into the "all other lures" category.  That's been a good bait for me).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Scarborough817]

I have a couple and like them a bit but to me they can be replaced. To me they are just a different sounding one knocker, just a bit of a different than an xrk75

[snake95]

Maybe that's the issue, they work OK (and maybe even great in the right time and place) but they are in a crowded segment of the market, plus they probably cost more than the average Rapala bait to produce given their fancy finishes and rattle system.  They used to sell for north of $12 US, which is on the high side for a Rapala bait.

[Scarborough817]

That was another issue I saw was they were too pricey for a lipless one knocker when a red eye one knocker is around 7

[craww]

I never found the couple I have to be anything special in terms of getting bit- (the rippin rap was ok- but wasnt the greatest in that style of rattlebait for the way its intended to be used). But will admit I have 3 or 4 lipless baits that I typically use with consistency, and didnt throw them a great deal. The old leash is short, maybe too short lol.

 

Rapala has gotten to be pretty aggressive with releasing and discontinuing lures. The Xrap walk 14 was a favirite thats long gone. The Brat looks to be a good one but I need to fish it.

[scaleface]

The Clankin Rap were in the Clearance bins last year and I didnt pick one up . Now those bins are full of Arashi baits .

 

The Fat Raps are usually the first bait I try at around the five foot mark  . They are not all created equal . The best ones are slightly heavier , cast better and feel better . I have about 10 total  and two or three are that way .

[Scarborough817]

i actually like the arashi though i find its decent and can you really beat a squarebill for $3

[Gundog]

2 hours ago, snake95 said:

Maybe that's the issue, they work OK (and maybe even great in the right time and place) but they are in a crowded segment of the market,

I think you hit the nail on the head. Very crowded segment means everybody has their favorites. Most people I know throw a rattletrap or one knocker. Every other company is playing catch-up. 

[scaleface]

There was a lineup of Clankin Rap's ,  not just the lipless one .

[Ratherbfishing]

I dunno.  I've seen clackin' raps in the "clearance/discount" bin (they still aren't that cheap) for several years now (at Scheels, anyway and, I think, Field & Stream) and yet they keep appearing.  Perhaps they manufactured a HUGE number and need to reduce their inventory?   This is simply a guess, however, as I haven't a clue. 

[smalljaw67]

I thought the Clackin' Rap was ok, for me it had a specific purpose. When they came out I grabbed a few and fished them hard the first year and I found they had a time and place. For my waters it seemed like they really did well fished yo-yo style in mid to late fall when the water temps were in the low to mid 50s. I love my Xcalibur one knockers, that lure doesn't get a lot of numbers for me but it does draw strikes from bigger fish, at least for me it does. The clackin crank wasn't bad, the only ones that I got are the 53 models, they are caught fish but I do better with a lot of other square bills, they just weren't for me. I'm with Turkey Sandwich about the Fat Rap, I'm glad they still make the perch and silver patterns at least, I still have 1 silver blue fat rap that will get bit every time I use it, it is just one of those baits and it doesn't get used much anymore. I have almost 3 dozen Flat Raps, half in the size 8 and half in the size 10, that is very subtle and is fantastic in clear water during the summer, I do well when smallmouth are actively chasing small darters. I also buy all the Arashi cranks I find on sale, it seems only certain colors I can find less than $5 but when it is one I use I grab it, they have been very good producers for me.

[gilkeybr]

I haven't fished my Clackin' Raps or Clackin' Cranks a ton, but when I have it hasn't been anything to write home about.  

The one I can't walk away from when I see them in the store, especially on discount, is the Clackin' Minnow.  That could be partially to do with my jerkbait obsession though

[burrows]

Because it was junk

[Cranks4fun]

I just stopped by Dunham Sports and found some old clearance Rapala Crankin Raps. I picked up one of the 5's (I already had three) but I'll go back for more. I have caught bass on the Crankin' Rap 3 Square bill before so I know they work. They had the 3's, 5's, and 10's- about 12 more total. If you have a Dunham's near by, check em out. 

[scaleface]

16 minutes ago, Cranks4fun said:

If you have a Dunham's near by, check em out. 

The local Dunhams dont have them unless they just come in . I'll check tomorrow . They are excellent square bills .